Dartmoor; Okehampton / Belstone Circular

Today, we go on another walk; it was from Pathfinder Guides' "Dartmoor Walks," a book at the apartment. Apparently, this northern part of Dartmoor contains the highest land in Southern England, and also some of its wildest and loneliest.

After visiting Okehampton Castle (see previous post), we joined the West Devon Way for a while, passing through woodland, and cross over the A30. There are views of Okehampton Army Camp as we walk over what was once Okehampton Park (used by the De Courtneys for hunting) on our way to Lower Hadstock Farm.

We now cross bleak moorland topped with granite tors to reach Cullever Steps, site of an ancient Ford. Heading south, we pass a ruined wall on Belstone Tor; this is the Irishmen's Wall, built in the 19th century to enclose areas of moor, but it was pulled down by locals as quickly as it was built. We turn left at Winter Tor and climb up to the Higher Tor Rocks, where there are great views of the area.

Then it's down to a stream and up through Belstone village and on to the Dartmoor Way path; under the A30, this time, and through Ball Hill Conservation Area bt the East Okemont River and back to Okehampton.

It's been about a 10-mile walk. That's enough for us when there is a lot of up and down!Read more